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Old Values Crumble?

As a father of four and grandfather of five, it amazes the depth, breadth and strength of influence the media has on teens’ thought processes and opinions. The traditional values which I hold dear are not held in the same esteem by this generation, especially in the media. A great deal of the change of opinion and perspective on subjects from sexuality to politics, from family values to the mere definition of “family” are driven by the sitcoms and news stories which dominate the screen and social media.

I am astounded and enraged by the fact, we as parents are considered outdated. Not just our ideas and opinions, but our very role as parents has been repeatedly called into suspicion.

Below is only one glimpse into the full article/ media course being taught in colleges and schools all across America.

Old Values Crumble

“Despite all arguments to the contrary, any perceptive person who works closely with youth today knows that the strong behavioral controls imposed over most young people by parents and churches are largely a thing of the past.

For many years society tried to control sexual behavior in youth by citing the traditional negative consequences of sexual experiences, such as premarital pregnancy, venereal disease, and community disapproval. Although these negative consequences are still preached, young people know that their actual “scare value” has vastly diminished.” http://cybercollege.com/sexmedia.htm

I challenge you to click the link and read the rest of the article. The brazen disdain with which the writer describes parents and the church body is amazing. The message is clear, parents are not the bearers of truth, parents don’t teach or train their children with any significant level of influence and when they do, their ideas are archaic.

Even if the author is correct, so long as I am legally, morally and financially responsible for the behavior of my children, I maintain both the right and responsibility to lead them as I see fit, and so do you if you are a parent.

As great as many teachers are in character and skill, they were not given the task of raising my children and I should not leave that burden on them, nor expect to hold them responsible for the final outcome, success or failure of my children’s future. As such, they need not exert any undue or inappropriate influence on the thoughts, opinions, moral compass or family values of my children, especially when they contradict what is taught at home. I feel even more strongly about the influence of absolute strangers on my children.

For a sitcom writer fresh out of college, who has no children, with no significant life experiences, to use the very powerful medium of television and movies to persuade my children that my notions of a “family” are outdated and wrong is simply reprehensible. I detest the cowardly way in which philosophical, ideological and even religious beliefs are attacked, demeaned, denounced, mocked and ridiculed by popular programs.

As if the gratuitous sex and violence which desensitize our teens to the reality of pain and trauma as well as the long term consequences of momentary decisions were not enough, programmers seem hell bent on persuading the youth of this generation that sexuality is what you want it to be today based on your mood or the friends you are hanging out with in the moment. Gender fluid? What is that? I know what is meant by it. I also know the notion itself is ludicrous. Last time I checked I did not raise a Mr. Potato Head with removable and exchangeable parts. We all have changes of mood, feelings, emotions which cause us to question our own purpose and identity. Everyone does, at some point ask “Who am I and why and I here?” For the sake of all things good, DO NOT LET THE MEDIA answer that question for your teens.

Please forgive my rant. As a guest on this blog, I realize your patience and tolerance of my presence here may be tested in this writing. Forgive me if I have offended you. If you agree with me and share the same level of outrage, then please share this blog as a rallying cry for parents everywhere. Whether as a conscious effort, or a game of influence where our children are the bounty, we are at war with a very brazen and powerful force. This force, this enemy would gladly snatch the hearts and minds of our teens from our grasp and gleefully lead them to believe irreparable lies. We must speak up. We must speak the truth in love. We must love those who seem to be guilty of waging this war, most of them cannot recognize they themselves are pawns.

We wrestle not against flesh and blood. No man or woman is my enemy, or yours. But the enemy of our souls looses no sleep at night when we are in torment and fear of the choices of our teens. If you don’t speak up now in the daytime, you may well cry yourself to sleep at night for many years to come.

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About the Author

Marian Pobeeis a wife, mother, pediatrician and business owner. She was raised together with her four siblings in Ghana, West Africa, by her mom, when her father died at a very young age. She eventually relocated to the US where she became a pediatrician, in Cook County Hospital in Chicago.